Two days ago, we covered claims from Spain that Barcelona ‘suspect’ Liverpool are ‘tempting’ Matthijs de Ligt to join them in the summer.
On the front page of Tuesday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo, it’s claimed the Ajax captain is asking for sporting guarantees and a salary according to his current level of performance.
Within the story, it’s explained the La Liga winners are working on a plan to make the Netherlands international’s signing ‘viable’ before he receives offers from elsewhere.
Last Friday, a Barcelona delegation made a trip to Holland to show the centre-back that he is a priority target for them in the summer, something they also did before they signed his teammate and compatriot Frenkie de Jong.
Ernesto Valverde’s side have already made it clear to the defender’s entourage not to worry about playing time at Camp Nou because if he keeps his current level, he is likely to be in front of other players.
In addition to this, Gerard Pique is 32 and will only have a few years left at the top, meaning De Ligt could replace him in the starting XI in the coming years.
The teenager has possibilities at other clubs and he wants the Spanish champions to offer him a generous salary. At the economic level, Barcelona are studying how to fit this operation into their budget.
In the coming days, Valverde’s side will continue their contacts, which would be decisive in defining De Ligt’s future. Even though his priority is to play for Barca, the latter have still not sealed the deal for him.
